McLouth softball explodes in sweep of Raiders

The McLouth High softball team erupted for 32 runs in just nine innings Thursday in a season-opening sweep of Delaware Valley League opponent Leavenworth-Immaculata. The Bulldogs defeated the Raiders by scores of 16-1 and 16-0.

MHS (2-0, 2-0 DVL) opened its 2013 season with a five-run first inning and continued to pile up offense throughout the game. The Bulldogs opened a 10-0 advantage after three innings to take control. The teams traded a run in the fourth inning, but MHS ended the first game with a six-run fifth, putting the mercy rule into effect.

Sophomore pitcher Angela Dailey (1-0) was solid in her season debut, allowing no earned runs on four hits while striking out eight. She also did damage at the plate, going a perfect 4-for-4.

Seniors Marissa Raya and Taylor Pope and freshmen Shannon Greene and Dominique Tullis also had multi-hit games. Greene led the way with three runs batted in.

"We were very aggressive with the bats," coach Ballard Patterson said. "I was real pleased with the way we attacked. The girls got up there and hit the ball into the outfield over and over tonight."

The nightcap lasted just four innings as MHS continued to score at will. After scoring three runs each in the first three innings, the Bulldogs put the game on ice with a seven-run fourth.

Greene (1-0) was nearly flawless in the pitching circle. She struck out four and gave up just one hit in her first high school outing. The Raiders' only base runner came on a single in the fourth inning.

Dailey, Greene, junior Konner Patterson and senior Alex Adams each recorded two or more hits in the second game.

The Bulldogs will open the home portion of their schedule at 4:30 p.m. Monday against Pleasant Ridge. They swept a doubleheader against the Rams last season.

"I hope we pick right back up on our hitting," Ballard Patterson said. "If they threw a strike, we were going to hit it as hard as we could. We've trained that way all spring."